High density patch panel

ABSTRACT

A patch panel is disclosed. The patch panel includes a frame, a faceplate mountable into a rear side of the frame, and at least one modular jack mountable into a rear side of the faceplate. The frame has a plurality of faceplate openings, and the faceplate has a plurality of mounting openings. Each mounting opening has at least one modular jack retention latch. A method for assembling a patch panel is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/459,217, filed on Apr. 3, 2003, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a patch panel and, moreparticularly, a high density patch panel utilizing six, eight-positionfaceplates for housing a total of 48 ports in one rack unit.

[0003] 24-port and 32-port patch panels having frames that mount to anystandardized 19-inch network rack and utilize one rack space are knownin the telecommunications industry. However, prior art devices, such asthe connector mounting receptacles disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,074,require the connector to be rotated into engagement with the wall plateand, thus, require a significant amount of space between connector rows.

[0004] Moreover, 48-port patch panels having frames that mount to anystandardized 19-inch network rack and utilize one rack space are knownin the telecommunications industry. However, prior art devices, such asHubbell Premise Wiring's UDX Series Jack Panels, mount the connectorsdirectly into the rear of the patch panel frame, and thus, do not have afaceplate mounted into the frame. Also, the Hubbell jack panels utilizea staggered frame design to facilitate installation and removal of thekeystone connectors. In fact, if two keystone connectors were verticallyaligned within the patch panel, the connectors would occupy more thanone rack unit (1.72 inches high).

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a patch panel having a total of48 ports in one rack unit.

[0006] It would also be desirable to provide a patch panel having tworows of modular jacks mounted therein, with at least two modular jacksvertically aligned within the patch panel.

[0007] It would further be desirable to provide a patch panel having aplurality of modular jacks capable of being mounted straight into therear of a faceplate to minimize the required distance between the tworows of modular jacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A patch panel is disclosed. The patch panel includes a frame, afaceplate mountable into a rear side of the frame, and at least onemodular jack mountable into a rear side of the faceplate. The frame hasa plurality of faceplate openings, and the faceplate has a plurality ofmodules. Each module has at least one modular jack retention latch.

[0009] Preferably, the frame has a top flange including a plurality offirst notches and a bottom flange including a plurality of secondnotches. Moreover, the frame includes indicia centered above eachmodular jack position.

[0010] Preferably, the frame has six faceplate openings, and a centerbar extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof.Moreover, the frame has a plurality of first mounting apertures at thefirst end and a plurality of second mounting apertures at the secondend.

[0011] Preferably, the faceplate has a top flange including a pluralityof first faceplate retention latches and a bottom flange including aplurality of second faceplate retention latches.

[0012] Preferably, each faceplate has four modules and eight modularjack openings. Each module includes two modular jacks, two modular jackretention latches and three modular jack stops.

[0013] Preferably, the patch panel includes forty-eight modular jacks,with at least two modular jacks vertically aligned within the patchpanel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top front right perspective view of a patch panelaccording to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top front right perspective view of the frame utilizedin the patch panel of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a top front right perspective view of one of thefaceplates utilized in the patch panel of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a front view of the faceplate of FIG. 5;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a right side view of the faceplate of FIG. 5;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the faceplate of FIG. 5;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a top view of one of the modular jacks utilized in thepatch panel of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a front view of the modular jack of FIG. 9;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a right side view of the modular jack of FIG. 9;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a partial exploded top front right perspective view ofFIG. 1, showing the faceplates being inserted into the rear of theframe;

[0026]FIG. 13 is a right side view of the faceplate similar to FIG. 7,showing the modular jack prior to insertion into the faceplate;

[0027]FIG. 14 is a right side view of the faceplate similar to FIG. 7,showing the modular jack after insertion into the faceplate;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG.12, showing the modular jack prior to insertion into the faceplate; and

[0029]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 16-16 of FIG.12, showing the modular jack after insertion into the faceplate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to ahigh density patch panel utilizing six, eight-position faceplates for atotal of 48 ports in one rack unit.

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled high density patch panel 20. Thepatch panel 20 includes a frame 22 (see FIGS. 2-4), a plurality offaceplates, such as faceplate 24 (see FIGS. 5-8), and a plurality ofmodular jacks, such as modular jack 26 (see FIGS. 9-11). Preferably, theframe 22 is metal, and the faceplate 24 is plastic. However, it islikewise contemplated that the frame 22 and the faceplate 24 may be madeof various materials.

[0032] As best seen in FIG. 12, the patch panel 20 has six,eight-position faceplates 24. However, it is likewise contemplated thatthe patch panel 20 may include any number of faceplates having anynumber of positions. For example, the patch panel 20 may include four,twelve-position faceplates or twelve, four-position faceplates.

[0033]FIGS. 2-4 show the frame 22. Although the frame 22 is flat, it islikewise contemplated that the frame 22 may be angled, as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/916,923, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference. The frame 22 has a center bar 28 that runsthe horizontal length of the frame 22 and adds strength to the frame 22.The center bar 28 divides each faceplate opening 38 into two separateopenings. As best seen in FIG. 2, the frame 22 has a top flange 30including a plurality of notches, such as notch 32. Similarly, as bestseen in FIG. 4, the frame 22 has a bottom flange 34 including aplurality of notches, such as notch 36. The notches 32, 36 allow thefaceplate 24 to be snap-mounted into the rear side of the frame 22.

[0034] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 22 has a plurality offaceplate openings, such as faceplate opening 38, for receiving aplurality of modular jacks, such as modular jack 26 shown in FIGS. 9-11.Indicia 40, such as numbers 1-48, are silk-screened and centered aboveeach module position for identifying each individual port on the frame22. The frame 22 also includes a plurality of mounting apertures, suchas mounting aperture 42, for securing the frame 22 to any standardized19-inch rack.

[0035]FIGS. 5-8 show the faceplate 24. As best seen in FIG. 5, thefaceplate 24 has a top flange 44 including two faceplate retentionlatches 46, 48. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 8, the faceplate has abottom flange 50 including two faceplate retention latches 52, 54. Theretention latches 46, 48, 52, 54 allow the faceplate 24 to besnap-mounted into the rear side of the frame 22, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0036] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the faceplate 24 has four modules56, 58, 60, 62, and each module only accommodates two modular jacks toincrease the strength of the faceplate 24. Each module includes twomodular jack retention latches 64, 66, which allow the modular jacks tobe mounted straight into the rear of the faceplate 24 and flush with theframe 22. The modular jack retention latches 64, 66 maximize the patchpanel density because the straight-in insertion of the modular jacksminimizes the required distance between two vertically stacked modularjacks. Each module also includes three modular jack stops 68, 70, 72,which secure two modular jacks therein.

[0037] In operation, the faceplate 24 is snap-mounted into the rear ofthe frame 22, as best seen in FIG. 12. Once all six faceplates areinserted into the rear of the frame 22, the plurality of modular jacksare inserted into the rear of the faceplates. FIGS. 13 and 15 show themodular jack 26 prior to insertion into the rear of the faceplate 24. Asbest seen in FIG. 15, the modular jack 26 abuts the rear of the modularjack retention latch 64. Conversely, FIGS. 14 and 16 show the modularjack 26 after insertion into the rear of the faceplate 24. As best seenin FIG. 16, the modular jack retention latch 64 abuts the rear of themodular jack 26, and the front of the modular jack 26 abuts the modularjack stop 70.

[0038] The disclosed invention provides a high density patch panelhaving a plurality of faceplates mounted therein, each faceplate havingmodular jack retention latches that allow modular jacks to be mountedstraight into the rear of the faceplate and flush with the frame. Itshould be noted that the above-described and illustrated embodiments andpreferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive listing ofthe forms such a patch panel in accordance with the invention mighttake; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of embodiments ofthe invention as presently understood. By way of example, and withoutlimitation, a patch panel having a faceplate including modular jackretention latches on the side walls thereof is contemplated to be withinthe scope of the invention. Many other forms of the invention arebelieved to exist.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A patch panel comprising: a frame having a topflange and a bottom flange, the frame including a plurality of faceplateopenings; a faceplate mountable to the frame within the top flange andthe bottom flange, the faceplate having a plurality of mounting openingsand each mounting opening having at least one modular jack retentionlatch; and at least one modular jack mountable into a rear side of thefaceplate.
 18. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein the frame receivessix faceplates.
 19. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein the top flangeof the frame has a plurality of first apertures and the bottom flange ofthe frame has a plurality of second apertures.
 20. The patch panel ofclaim 19, wherein at least one of the first apertures receives at leastone first faceplate retention latch, and at least one of the secondapertures receives at least one second faceplate retention latch. 21.The patch panel of claim 17, wherein the frame has a center barextending horizontally from a first end thereof to a second end thereof.22. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein the frame includes indiciacentered above each modular jack position.
 23. The patch panel of claim17, wherein the frame has a plurality of first mounting apertures at afirst end thereof and a plurality of second mounting apertures at asecond end thereof.
 24. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein thefaceplate is releasably mounted to the frame.
 25. The patch panel ofclaim 17, wherein the faceplate is mounted into a rear side of theframe.
 26. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein the faceplate has a topflange including at least one first faceplate retention latch and abottom flange including at least one second faceplate retention latch.27. The patch panel of claim 26, wherein the top flange of the faceplatehas at least one release arm.
 28. The patch panel of claim 17, whereinthe faceplate has four mounting openings.
 29. The patch panel of claim17, wherein each mounting opening includes two modular jacks.
 30. Thepatch panel of claim 17, wherein each mounting opening includes twomodular jack retention latches.
 31. The patch panel of claim 17, whereineach mounting opening includes a plurality of modular jack stops thatdefine a lateral position of the modular jack.
 32. The patch panel ofclaim 31, wherein the plurality of modular jack stops are disposed alonga bottom flange of the faceplate.
 33. The patch panel of claim 17,wherein the faceplate has eight modular jack mounting positions.
 34. Thepatch panel of claim 33, wherein each modular jack mounting positionincludes a plurality of modular jack stops.
 35. The patch panel of claim17, wherein each modular jack is releasably mounted to the faceplate.36. The patch panel of claim 17, wherein each modular jack is mounted tothe faceplate in the same orientation.
 37. The patch panel of claim 17,wherein each modular jack is slidingly installed along a linear pathinto a mounted position in the faceplate.
 38. The patch panel of claim17, wherein at least two modular jacks are vertically aligned within thepatch panel.
 39. The patch panel of claim 17, further comprisingforty-eight modular jacks within one rack unit.
 40. A patch panelcomprising: a frame having a plurality of faceplate openings; afaceplate mountable into a rear side of the frame, the faceplate havinga plurality of mounting openings and each mounting opening having atleast one modular jack retention latch; and at least one modular jackmountable into a rear side of the faceplate.
 41. A faceplate assemblycomprising: a faceplate having a plurality of mounting openings, eachmounting opening having at least one modular jack retention latch; andat least one modular jack slidingly installable along a linear path intoa mounted position in the faceplate, wherein each mounting openingfurther includes guides that define a lateral position of an installedmodular jack.
 42. A patch panel comprising: a frame having two panelsections angled outwardly in an inverted V-shape; a faceplate mountableto the frame; and at least one modular jack mountable to the faceplate.43. A patch panel comprising: a frame having two panel sections angledoutwardly in an inverted V-shape; a faceplate mountable to the frame;and at least one modular jack slidingly installable along a linear pathinto a mounted position in the faceplate.
 44. A method of assembling apatch panel comprising the steps of: providing a frame having a topflange and a bottom flange, the frame including a plurality of faceplateopenings; mounting a faceplate having a plurality of mounting openingswithin the top flange and the bottom flange, each mounting openinghaving at least one modular jack retention latch; and mounting at leastone modular jack into a rear side of the faceplate.
 45. A method ofassembling a patch panel comprising the steps of: providing a framehaving a plurality of faceplate openings; mounting a faceplate having aplurality of mounting openings into a rear side of the frame, eachmounting opening having at least one modular jack retention latch; andmounting at least one modular jack into a rear side of the faceplate.46. The method of claim 45, wherein the modular jack is slidinglyinstalled along a linear path into a mounted position in the faceplate.47. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of mounting thepatch panel to a network rack.